By Desrae Gibby ’91, WPAOG Staff

On June 13, 2020, members of the Class of 2020, sitting six feet apart due to the COVID-19 pandemic, graduated on the Plain, without any friends or family present. President Donald J. Trump, that year’s graduation speaker, called them “the strongest of the strong, bravest of the brave.” John Connors ’70, and other 50-year affiliates, gripped hands virtually, encouraging them to “build upon their distinction to handle any challenge.” For four years they have done that and now pinned on the double-silver bars. Captains Emma Powless and Amy Ziccarello are representative of the strength of this class. Both are Rangers exemplifying their class motto: “With Vision We Lead.”

Powless is using her Ranger and Sapper skills in the historic 911th Technical Rescue Engineer Company, DoD’s only search and rescue unit. On 9/11, after Flight AA77 crashed into the Pentagon, the company commander, then-Captain Aaron Barta ’95, didn’t wait for orders, he began search and rescue operations to save lives. Three members of the Long Gray Line now continue that legacy: Powless, Captain Hannah Palladino ’20 and Captain Terry Lee ’17, the current company commander. During May 6-9, 2024, Powless, who trains her soldiers to save lives, was the officer in charge on a four-day exercise in the greater DC area. “We participated with fire department and search and rescue teams from across the region, [learning] from others in the first responder community and network,” she said. They faced eight different scenarios, ranging from vehicle extrication and rope rescue to breaching and breaking. Then, on June 25-27, her platoon executed a scenario resembling a large-scale earthquake in a local city. “Our two rescue platoons…[rescued] 17 victims over the course of the three-day exercise.”

Similarly, Ziccarello, an Armor officer, says USMA prepared her to lead in the combat arms by pushing her and giving her valuable connections: “As a woman going into a combat arms job, I knew I not only had to train to be on par with the men…but exceed their expectations and outperform them,” she said. “I had so many incredible mentors who helped me to push my limits,” including both of her parents: Jess ’81 and Kelly ’84 (Lieutenant Colonel, Retired). Ziccarello has “passed on” that mentorship to other women in combat arms, especially women preparing to go to Ranger School: “I’ve been a guest speaker on a panel for ROTC programs and often meet or have phone calls with women who are preparing to go,” she said. “I love writing them letters in Ranger [School] and watching them succeed and graduate…” Ziccarello is preparing to lead with vision in the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. She’ll serve with highly trained soldiers, among the top tactical leaders in the Army, strengthening the nation’s allies and partners.

Congratulations to all the members from the Class of 2020, more than 1,100 strong, who were promoted to captain during the last year. The Long Gray Line is proud of your accomplishment and hopes that you will continue to lead with vision for years to come.

Photo 1: At the May 8, 2024 Rescue Challenge at Arlington County Fire Department’s Training Center, CPT Emma Powless ’20 led her platoon to face eight different rescue scenarios. Photo 2: Then-2LT Amy Ziccarello ’20 at Ranger School Graduation in August 2021 at Victory Pond, Fort Moore, Georgia.

Read the complete Fall 2024 edition of West Point magazine here.

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